Cable gripping device



Nov. 29, 1949 L. P. FRIEDER ET AL CABLE GRIPPING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 061'.. 16, 1946 R4 EN xB w Mm n 1 T Q N w@ WR f mm QZ A .1 L |15 7 bmwlq L wv w m@ N QM www hw O .NW mlm. Rw Mw NMML. QM@ NN W l. o .N N. QN W* INBQW Nm mbwnm. NN. Nm. TT @NTL bf la n w A g/k d mw A @1 NN MN @ll Ilm. mmv., n mm QN IVEv Nov. 29, 1949 L.. P. FRIEDER ET AL 2,489,632

CABLE GRIPPING DEVICE 5 Sheets-.Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 16, 1946 JNVENToRs TZ'RZYEY FIG .4.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 001'.. 16, 1946 INVENTORS LEONA HD /CQ/EDER MLTEFP 51 F/NKEN ATTORNEY Nov. 29, 1949 I P. FRIEDER ET AL 2,489,632

CABLE GRIPPING DEVICE Filed oct. 16. 194e s sheets-sheet 4 Flan.

. N VEN TORS LEONA .QD FTQ/EDE@ BY M441; TER S. F/NfrEf/v ATTORNEY' Nqv. 29, 1949 l.. P. FRIEDER ET AL 2,489,632

CABLE GRIPPING DEVICE Filed OG. 16, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A. TTORZSZ'EY Patented Nov. 29, 1949 CABLE GRIPPING DEVICE Leonard P. Frieder, Great Neck, and Walter S. Finken, Brooklyn, N. Y.; said Finken assgnor to said Frieder Application October 16, 1946, Serial No. 703,638

8 Claims. (Cl. 27E-105.3)

This invention relates to devices for automatically gripping a cable short of its end. Among the objects of the invention is to provide a device adapted to slide along an extended cable and automatically to attach itself directly to the cable close to its end.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cable gripping device constructed and arranged for eiecting the release of the device from a cable to which it is attached.

An important application of the invention is found in its use for towing and releasing targets and for attaching targets to the end of a tow line. Targets are usually towed at considerable distance from a towing aircraft. As targets are consumed or destroyed it becomes desirable to replace the target by another one, and considerable time can be saved if a new target can be attached to a tow line without having to take up the tow line. It sometimes happens that the tow line is itself severed and it is an attainment of the present invention to provide a cable gripping device that can be slid along an extended tow line and caused to grip the cable short of its free or broken end. The device is provided with a shackle or other connection by which a target is fastened thereto and is so constructed as to be placed upon an extended line in such a manner as to utilize the extended line as a trolley for conveying the device along its length. The device has a trigger mechanism which is maintained in a cocked condition by the line passing through the device. When the device reaches the end of the line the cocked condition of the trigger is upset and jaws are immediately brought into action to seize upon the line. Jaw releasing mechanism is employed in conjunction with a plunger which may be operated by a weighted messenger or by a second cable gripping device when it is desired to release the device from the cable and replace the released target.

Other objects of the present invention will be hereinafter set forth in the accompanying speciflcation and claims and demonstrated bythe drawings which show by way of illustration a preferred embodiment of the principle of the invention and the best mode in which we have contemplated applying that principle.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is an outside view of a gripping device embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view of the device shown in Fig. 1 with the cover plates removed and illustrating the gripping device ready for descent along a cable;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the device with a side wall broken away;

Fig. 4 illustrates the gripping mechanism seizing the cable after the trigger has been tripped;

Fig. 5 illustrates the gripping mechanism latched in retracted position as when the device is passing from the end of the cable;

Fig. 6 illustrates the device and a cable with the cable gripping jaws latched in a non-functionable position;

Fig. 7 is a section on line 1 1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section on the vertical axis of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is an end view of the device as seen from line 9--9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a sectional View on line Ill- I0 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 11, 12, 13 and 14 are sectional views taken on lines II-I I, I2-I2, I3-I3 and III-I4 respectively, of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 15 is an end view of the device as seen from line I5-I5 of Fig. 2.

As illustrated in the drawings the body inember of the device is so constructed as to contain the operating mechanism and provisions for slidably supporting the device on a line or cable. While the body member may be in the form of an open frame or other body capable of suspending a load from a cable, we have found it convenient to construct the same as an enclosure including a main wall I0, side walls II and I2, end walls I3 and I4 and detachable cover plates I5 and I6. After the working parts have been assembled it is unnecessary to remove thevcover I5 which is attached to the body member by means of screws. Cover plate I6 is also attached to the body member by means of screws which pass through elongated slots II, I8 and I9 which provide for sliding the cover plate laterally to permit threading the device onto an extended cable. Each end wall I3 and I4 has extending therefrom a boss 20 and 2I.

Boss 20 is bored to receive a bushing 22, as shown in detail in Figs. 7 and 8. The bushing is held within the boss by a pin 23 which engages a lateral slot 24 of sufficient length to allow partial rotation of the bushing to close olf the longitudinal slot 25 in boss 2U so as to conne a cable within the boss. Bushing 22 is slotted at 26 to provide a clear passageway for the cable when the cable is inserted in slot 25 for applying the device to a cable. The cable-receiving position of bushing 22 is illustrated in Figs. 1, 6 and 7, and the closed position of the bushing is illustrated in Figs. 2, 4 and 5.

Within bushing 22 there is disposed the shank of a plunger 27 which carries at its inner end a projection 28 by which a cam 29 of the cable gripping mechanism is relieved from cabieengaging position as shown in Fig. 5. The projection 28 is disposed in line with a lug at tached to the cam so that when the plunger and its projection are forced inwardly from the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the projection will contact the lug and rotate the cam counterclockwise to the position illustrated in Fig. 5. Cam 29 is pivotally mounted upon a bearing 3l. Plunger 2'! is longitudinally slotted at 32, Fig. 8, to limit the travel of plunger :2 ina longitudinal direction, the slot being 'so proportioned to accommodate pin 23 which is fixed in boss 25.

Boss 2l at the other en'dof the device is bored to rotatively support a bushing 33 which is provided with a slot 315 extending to each end of the bushing. Bushing 33 is connected to boss 2l -f `by "a pin and slot connection I(not 'showni which is so arranged as to permit rotary `displacement Aof the bushing to place slot 36 out of `alignment with slot S in'boss'2l as shown in 2.

In "applying the device to an extended cable. the end 'bushings are *disposed so as to locate the slots 26 'and 34 in alignment Ywith slots v and 35 'of bosses 2i) and 2l and cover i5 is laterally displaced, 'as' indicated by broken lines 36l in Fig. l, to accommodate 'the cable. Spring 31, which normally holds cover lo in 'placefcan Abesprung'to 'unlatch thecover. The aligned slots of the bushings and 'bosses are illustrated :in Fig; 1. After the device has been applied to an extended cable, lbushings 22 and 33 are given 'a"quarter"turn`t'o enclose the cable in the manner illustrated in Fig. .2. cantilever springs 3c "and 3'9fsecuredtobosses '2c `and 2l, respectively, engage notchesl .in 'the 'bushings when the bushings have been "rotated to enclose the cable.

When the device is applied'itofa cable and is readied forslidng 'downjthe cableas shown in Fig. '2, the ca'ble extends "frcely'between serrated surfaces forming teeth "oncam 25 and a fixed jaw B. Jawl "is `moun`ted-`on a block ci attached to "the body member 'iii by 'means of screws 42 and '43. A guard 44 is so located as Vto assure that the 'cablerun'sbetween the opposing teeth. `Spring "i5 .is for rotating cam' 2S 'clockwise forcausing seizure'of the cable Vbetween the cam andthe jaw'llll. Spring 45 is mounted on `a pair of telescoping'rods, one of which is .pivotally anchored lto apin' a'ndthe other ofwhieh is pivotally attached to .anarm'l of the cam by a pin 58.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, @the cam is held from engagement with the cableby means of a trigger comprising a lever 5G fulcrumed `ona pin 5l and having an arm 52 carrying a roller 5S which engages arm el of the -cam whenthe trigger is set for action. The second varm 5c of the ,lever carries a roller 55 which -is disposed `between rollers 55 andv'?. Rollers-5fand5 are `mounted upon bearings 5S and iisupported-frorn the rear wall le of the'bodymember. A springe@ normally biases lever 55 in Yal'zlockwise direction. When the device is applied toa cable the cable is threaded over-the rollers'so as to iie between rollers 5- and '5l on oneside .and roller 55 on the other'side in the manner illustratedinFig. 2. The cablel is slightly Y:crimped between rollers 56 and 5T by 'the pressurei exerted :by .roller 51 due to the pressurefnfspring .The'llever 4 is disposed in set position by the cooperating eiiects of the cable and the trigger sprin in such position of the lever, roller 53 on arm 52 is so located as to bear against arm @l of cam 2Q and thereby restrain the cam from actuation by spring 45. A plate 6l at the base of spring 5d may be adjusted to bring this about for applying the device to -any particular cable.

With the cable threaded through the device and sleeves 22 and 33 positioned to enclose the cable. the device is free to slide along the cable under the pull of gravity, but when the supporting effect of the length of cable between rollers 5t and 5l is terminated, the trigger will rotate clockwise under the influence of spring ci) and free cam 25 `to the action o spring G5. This occurs almost immediately the end or the cable passes roller 55. Upon relief of the cam from support of arm 52, cam 2S rotates clockwise, as shown in Fig. 4, and causes seizure of the cable between the Ateeth on the-cam and the teethA on the fixed jaw-Gil andthe immediate larrest 'of the descent of the device yalong the `cable.

The lower end or" the V'device `is provided Ywith a shackle d2 for the attachment or ata-rget.

When it is desired to -oast aside an attached device and suspended target, `it `is Vnecessary to disengage the jaws from seizure with the cable. rhis may be accomplished by la weighted rnessenger t3 which is allowed to descend alongr the towing cable and strike `plunger 2? for accomplishing this result, triggerelever 5i) having previously been rocked clockwise Nunderthe influence ci spring 6B because of lack of Asupport for roller 55.

Plunger 2l is normally extended 'from the device by the action ci-a 'spring-biased detent 6ft which is pivoted "on a pint?) andllas ,a spring t6 by which thedetent `is maintained `in a 'position to the left orrig'ht of'dead'center. Spring 65 is prevented from fouling spring t5 by a shield-iii. In the positionof the'detent shown in Figs. 2 and 4, detent ibears against the end of the cylindrical shank of plunger i and holds it extended. Whenthe'messenger Z3 strikes the head of plunger? the plunger is moved inwardly and projection-28 isY brought into contact with lug and actuates cam 2t in a counter-clockwise direction. Concurrently detent'l is pivoted over its dead center'byplunger 2l and is rotated by its springt@ to a `position behind shoulder of the cam, thereby locking the cam in an open position, as shown in Fig.`5. AThe cable isrthen free to pass from the grippingdevice.

If the released device'iis to "be replaced by second similar devi'cecarrying 'a new' target, the second device is Yapplied to'the'cable in the manner previously'described. "li cam A2E] is not already inactivated by engagement with de'tent 5ft,

-hand pressure applied to piston 2l `to effect rotation of the cam lf :ounter-cloclrrwise and rposition detent Sli behind shoulder 'of `the cain. Tr; ger isfthen-rockedagainstspring'ilby application or pressure to dinger"piecefl and the device is placed and securedon the cable'with the cable running through-'thebosses Eil and L i. trigger is then allowed'to lset'itself 'with 'spring urgingroller 55 against/the length or" cable between rollers 55 and `5l. Thereafter' detent is rocked clockwise by finger pressure applied' to pin il, from cam-'engagingposition,Fig.6to its retracted position, Fig. a2. l-As fthis is done the cam is Apermitted `tobea'ruponandbe supported solely by the trigger. The device, withanrattached target, is then ready to be released to slide down the cable.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a body member, means for supporting said body member in sliding relation with respect to a cable passing therethrough, means for gripping said cable, spring means operable on said cablegripping means for actuating the same to cablegripping position, a trigger, means cooperating with said trigger and said cable for setting said trigger to hold said cable-gripping means in a cocked position, said trigger-setting means comprising means adapted to engagek the cable for thereby supporting the trigger in set position, and means for actuating said trigger to release said cable-gripping means to the action of said spring means when said trigger ceases to cooperate with and be supported by said cable.

2. A device of the character described comprising a body member, means for supporting said body member in sliding relation with respect to a cable passing therethrough, means for gripping said cable, spring means operable on said cablegripping means for actuating the same to cable gripping position, a trigger, means cooperating with said trigger and said cable for setting said trigger to hold said cable-gripping means in a cocked position, said trigger-setting means comprising means adapted to engage the cable for thereby supporting the trigger in set position, means for actuating said trigger to uncock said cable-gripping means when said trigger ceases to cooperate with and be supported by said cable,

means for disengaging said cable-gripping means from engagement with said cable, and means for holding said cable-gripping means in disengaged position.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a body member, cable guide means, one located at each end of said body member for guiding a cable extending therethrough, cable-gripping means carried by said body member, spring means for actuating said cable-gripping means, a trigger pivotally mounted intermediate the ends of said body member, said trigger having an arm adapted to restrain said cable-gripping means against the action of said spring means, second spring means acting upon said trigger for pressing said trigger against the cable extending through said body member whereby said trigger is held by said cable and is released to the action of said last-named spring means when said cable is removed from engagement with said trigger, whereupon said trigger is rocked and releases said cable-engaging means to seize said cable.

4. A device of the character described comprising a body member, cable guide means, one located at each end of said body member for guiding a cable extending therethrough, a jaw attached to said body member adjacent one end, a. cam pivotally mounted opposite said jaw, spring means for rocking said cam, a trigger pivotally mounted intermediate the ends of said body member, said trigger having an arm adapted to engage said cam and hold it against the action of said spring means, a second spring means acting upon said trigger and together with the cable extending through said body member holding said trigger in cam-engaging position whereby said trigger may be released to the action of said lastnamed spring means when said cable is removed from engagement with said trigger, whereupon said trigger is rocked from cam-engaging position lIl,

and the cam and jaw are caused to seize upon said cable.

5. A device of the character described comprising a body member, means for guiding a cable extending through said body member, a jaw attached to said body member adjacent one end, a cam pivotally mounted opposite said jaw, spring means for rocking said cam to hold said cable against said jaw, a detent adapted to engage said cam to hold it out of operative position, a trigger pivotally mounted intermediate the ends of said body member and carrying means for engaging a cable extending through said body member, said cable-engaging means being disposed relative to the cable and trigger so that when said cable-engaging means is engaging said cable, said trigger is positioned to prevent operation of said cam and so that when said cable is removed from engagement with said cable-engaging means said trigger is rocked and said cam is freed to seize said cable between itself and said jaw, and means adapted to displace said cam from cable-seizing position and to rock said detent to engage said cam.

6. A device of the character described comprising a body member, means for guiding a cable through said body member, a jaw attached to said body member adjacent one end, a cam pivotally mounted opposite said jaw, spring means adapted to rock said cam to engage said cable between said cam and said jaw, a pair of spaced rollers adjacent the other end of said body member for engaging the cable, a trigger pivotally mounted intermediate the ends of said body member and carrying a roller disposed opposite the space between the rollers of said pair of rollers, said trigger having an arm adapted to engage said cam and hold it in cocked position against the action of said spring means, a second spring means for biasing said trigger to urge the roller carried thereby into engagement with the length of cable extending between said pair of rollers whereby said length of cable retains said trigger in cam engaging position and said trigger is displaced by said second spring means to release said cam when the end of said cable passes from engagement with said rollers, whereupon the released cam is actuated by said nrst-named spring means and is caused to engage the cable between itself and said jaw.

7. A device of the character described comprising a body member, means for supporting said body member in sliding relation with respect to a cable passing therethrough, means for gripping upon said cable, spring means for urging said gripping means into cable-engaging position, a trigger adapted to bear upon said gripping means for holding the same out of engagement with said cable, said trigger having an arm bearing a roller adapted to rest upon said cable, means supporting a length of said cable against the pressure of said trigger, said last-named means including a pair of spaced members carried by said body member, a spring acting upon said trigger for pressing said roller against the length of cable between said pair of spaced members, whereby when said length of cable is withdrawn from coaction with said spaced members, said trigger is actuated to release said cable-gripping means to the action of the first-mentioned spring means.

8. A device for gripping a cable comprising a body member adapted to be slidably engaged by a cable extending therethrough, said body member having a central compartment and grooved bosses at each end through which the cable exaasaese 7 tends, slotted bushingsrotatably mounted in said bosses for enclosing the cable within the grooves in said bosses, means secured to the boss at one end of said body member for attaching a target, jaws mounted at the-other end of said body member, spring means for operating at least one of said jaws to seize a cable, a jaw-releasing lever pivotallyY mounted in said compartment, means carried by said lever for engaging a cable extending through said compartment whereby said lever is disposed by coaction with said cable in a position to hold said movable jaw out of cable-seizing position, spring means adapted to rock said lever when said cable is withdrawn from coaction with said lever, the aforesaid first-mentioned spring means being adapted to actuate said movable jaw upon the release of said jaw by said lever, whereby said movable jaw is moved to seize upon said 8 cable and preJ/errtits .total withdrawal from said compartment, and means for displacing said movable jaw from cable-seizing position 'to release said body .member from engagement with said cable.

LEONARD P. FRIEDER. WALTER S. FINKEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of 'record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES I PATENTS Number Name Date 1,921,627 Lucchesi Aug. 8, 1933 2,196,938 Parnell Apr. 9, 1940 2,386,137 Olsson et al Oct. 2, 1945 

